Flames notes: Local NHL club adjusting to life without veteran Cammalleri, who has a concussion

Scott Cruickshank, Calgary Herald01.12.2014

Flames forward Mike Cammalleri is clutched by Tampa Bay Lightning defender Radko Gudas during a game earlier this month. He suffered a concussion on Saturday against Pittsburgh and is sidelined indefinitely.

The left-winger is not travelling with the team — nor is right-winger David Jones (eye). After playing the Carolina Hurricanes on Monday, the Calgary Flames face the Nashville Predators on Tuesday.

“That’s tough news — for Cammie and for us,” coach Bob Hartley said Monday morning. “Because we all know what he represents for us. But at the same time, we’ve lost (Mark Giordano, Dennis Wideman, Curtis Glencross), we’ve lost quite a few guys. Every team goes through this. Those guys lost Eric Staal. But you always have to find a way.

“Unfortunately I’m repeating myself — it’s part of our business.”

No one could say, with any degree of certainty, when the concussion was sustained.

Cammalleri did get into one exchange with Brandon Sutter. He also came to rescue when Mark Giordano was conked by Robert Bortuzzo.

“The funny thing about concussions is sometimes you have a hard time to really pinpoint one accident, one contact,” said Hartley. “But he’s out and that’s not good news.”

For the Flames, Cammalleri has produced 21 points, including 13 goals, in 37 games.

Jones, meanwhile, is scheduled to see an eye specialist, again, Tuesday in Calgary.

SKINNER BREAKS OUT

Jeff Skinner had been named the National Hockey League’s top rookie in 2011-12, so it’s odd to consider this a breakout season.

But it is.

Point per game. Recent stretch of 17 goals in 17 games. At 21, the Hurricanes winger had been in the conversation for the Olympics — Team Canada management called him on decision day.

* “Off ice, we’re starting to get some peers around here that are his age. You can’t underestimate how more comfortable he looks, just with guys like (Ryan Murphy, 20; Elias Lindholm, 19; Justin Faulk, 21) around. They’re having fun.”

* “He’s getting away from the scrums. He’s understanding that he can be a target. Before, he’d get in situations where he’s retaliating more and fighting off guys trying to get under his skin. Now he’s just playing the game and staying away from all that crap.”

Last season, he recorded 24 points in 42 games, going minus-21 in the process.

“His maturity level as a player is growing — he’s still a young guy,” said Eric Staal. “Very gifted offensively, but we knew that from the very beginning. I think his overall game is taking steps. He’s obviously scoring a lot goals — and timely goals as well. That’s huge for any team. And he’s got those juices to try to contribute offensively and be a difference-maker.”

FORGOTTEN MAN

Sunday’s hiring of Paul Maurice didn’t surprise Matt Stajan.

That the coach had been unemployed at all is what stunned the Flames centre.

“Nice to see him get a job because he’s one of the best,” Stajan said of Maurice, who, after a two-year NHL hiatus, took over the reins the Winnipeg Jets. “He understands the game. He’s as good a coach as I’ve had in this league.”

Added Eric Staal: “Great coach. I’m very happy to see him back in the league. He’s underrated.”

Stajan played two seasons — 2006-08 — under Maurice in Toronto.

“He’s really prepared,” said Stajan. “A really good motivator. Pays a lot of attention to detail. He has his teams prepared every night. I really enjoyed playing for him.”

Maurice, publicly, displays a quick wit and a fine sense of humour.

In the dressing room?

“Oh yeah — what you see is what you get,” replied Stajan. “He’s a really good person. He respects his players.”

FRATERNITY FEELS PAIN

The other side of the Maurice hiring is the Claude Noel firing.

Flames coach Bob Hartley knows the man — and knows the business. In other words, he sympathizes, but understands.

“You never what to see this,” said Hartley, who called Noel on Sunday. “But we know the risk of our job. We’ve been there. You get all the way to the NHL, you’ve gone through many wars, many storms. It seems like you build kind of a second skin.

“But when you see one of your partners go down . . .”

QUESTIONABLE HIT

Mark Giordano had not been thrilled by Saturday’s check from Pittsburgh defender Robert Bortuzzo.

“I’ve seen replays,” said the Flames captain. “From the one side, it looks like it’s a high hit. From the other side, it doesn’t look as bad. I was in a bad spot because I was lunging to make a play on the puck. He came up pretty hard, launched himself at me. The only part I didn’t like was the follow-through (with the elbow).”

Following the blow, which dislodged the helmet of Giordano, there had been no time in the quiet room.

Comments

We encourage all readers to share their views on our articles and blog posts. We are committed to maintaining a lively but civil forum for discussion, so we ask you to avoid personal attacks, and please keep your comments relevant and respectful. If you encounter a comment that is abusive, click the "X" in the upper right corner of the comment box to report spam or abuse. We are using Facebook commenting. Visit our FAQ page for more information.

Share

Flames notes: Local NHL club adjusting to life without veteran Cammalleri, who has a concussion